Connecting and guiding means for endless tracks and the like



P 1943- R. I. SCHONITZER ETAL 2,330,794

CONNECTING AND GUIDING MEANS FOR ENDLESS TRACKS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 14, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

INVENTORS R mm s RLs Y E E Z HAM R A 0 0 Br mwpu Z H Em m U n Y, B

Sept. 28, 19 3. R. l. SCHONITZER ETAL 2,330,794

CONNECTING AND GUIDING MEANS FOR ENDLESS TRACKS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 14, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Iii/VENTORS RUDOLPH I. SdHoi/n'z ER EDWIN L. ALLEN HAROLD B. MusTER p 1943- R. l. SCHONITZER ETAL 3 57 commune AND GUIDING MEANS FOR ENDLESS TRACKS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 14, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet :5

INVEN To Rs:

F7 9 RUDOLPH I ScHoNIT fowl/v L. ALLEN HAROLD B. MUSTER ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 28, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE}.-

CONNECTING AND GUIDING MEANS FOR ENDLESS TRACKS AND THE LIKE Rudolph I. Schonitzer, Shaker Heights, and Ed- I 8 win L. Allen and Harold B. Muster, Cleveland Heights, Ohio: said Allen and .said Muster assignors to said Schonitzer 1 Application February 14, 1942, Serial No. 430,986

Claims.

This invention relates to animprovement in the construction of endless tracks having separate tread blocks, and relates to a combined end connector for adjacent tread blocks and a track no machining is necessary after assembly, and

harder wearing surfaces are provided by the proper selection of the metal for the stampings and the heat treatment to which they are submitted. It follows from this that our improved devices are less costly to produce, are suitable for mass production, and give more satisfactory results in use.

One of the objects of the present invention therefore is to provide a device of this sort which can be formed of sheet metal stampings connected together by welding and provided with reinforcing flanges, ribs and projectionsand reinforcing plates where necessary or desirable so as to obtain all of the advantages pointed out in the p'receding'paragraph. The nature the accompanying drawings and description and the essential features thereof will be set forth in the claims. f

' In the drawings, Fig. l is a plan view of a portion of an endless track equipped with our improved track guide'and connector;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the track ofFig.1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the combined track guide and end connector shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the device of Fig. 3; i

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the same taken along the line 5-ii of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the main stamping forming a part of the device of Figs. 3, 4 and 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 6; while Figs. 8 and 9 are end and front elevational views of one of the smaller stampings of the device shown in Figs. 3 to 5.

It will be understood by those skilled in this art that our device is applicable to that type of of our invention will be more clearly understood from l a plane parallel endless track used for tanks, tractors, trucks and the like and which is composed of a plurality ofseparate tread blocks I0 which are united in link fashion to form tread blocks are quite often formed of rubber in which are embedded crossbars ll, two to each block, the exposed ends of which serve as link pins for the end connectors. The blocks l0are cut away as shown at I00. to permit them to pass around sprockets and guide wheels.

The present invention has to do with the combined end connector and track guide indicated at l2 in Figs. 1 and 2. This device has thre iunctions, namely, it provides a connecting link between the crossbars of adjacent blocks so as to tie the blocks together into an endless track; it also is formed with an upstanding projection which prevents the track from slipping off the bogie wheels and sprockets; and thirdly, it provides a bearing surface for the sprocketshwhich drive the track.

This device i2 is here shown as comprising four sheet metal stampings and two tubular members. The main stamping l3 as best seen in Figs. and '7 comprises a link portion [3a. lying generally in to the longitudinal dimension of the track and provided with two openings l3b through which the crossbars ll of adjacent tread blocks are adapted to pass as will later appear. These openings are countersunk at I312 to, aid in the attachment of the tubular members to be later described. The main stamping is offset as at I inwardly toward the center of the track and substantially at right angles to the plane of V the link portion. The ofiset portion is then turned upwardly in a direction opposite'to the link portion forming the guide portion l3d. The

' free end of this guide portion is flared back toduring its normal use.

ward the plane of the link portion as best seen in Figs. 5 and '7 so as to provide a smooth engagement with the bogie wheels, sprockets'and othe'r guiding surfaces. The guide portion is strengthened by means of the side edge flanges l3e which extend from the free end of the guide portion down to the offset portion in the plane of the link portion. This provides a cheap but strong construction preventing bending of the guide portion when subjected to heavy stresses The general appearance of theoffset and guide portions is therefore that of a cupping of the sheet metal in the upper part of the device as viewed in Figs. 4, 5, 6fand 7.

The main stamping has a central hole H cut away to receive the strengthening ribslater d'escribed.

the endless track. Such end of to enter theopening M in the main stamping and is provided at its outer end with a tongue ld which is welded to the ofiset portion 530 of the main stamping. The rib I50 thus extends across the angle between the portions lea and 530 of the main stamping and gives a very strong reinforcement at this point. It will be noted from Figs. 3 and 4 that the ribs I50 and. 60 lie face to face and are adapted to fit in the space between the flared away surfaces Illa of adjacent tread blocks as best seen in narrow and the present construction takes full advantage of that space. This reinforcing rib construction may be formed on either portion its or 55a in any suitable manner so long as it adapts itself to the space between'adjacent, tread blocks. The ribs We and l6c' may be spot or projection welded together if desired.

Tubular members I! and I8; are secured to the link portion of our device for the purpose of embracing the crossbars H for the attachment of our device thereto. "In the form here shown these are heavy tubular members cut away as indicated at ilc'z, Fig.3. to provide a shoulder which abuts the portion 55a of the stamping IS. The reduced diameter of the tubular member then passes through theopenings I51; and H22 and the inner thejtubular member is flared out at ilb against'the countersunk portion I311 of the hole in the main stamping. These tubular members are preferably welded in place and provide a firm anchorage on the crossbars H.

The two tubular members are tied together and reinforced by a channel shape tie piece is which is welded to thetubular members at 353a and to the stampings l5and H6 at Itb. The flanges lee of thistle piece extend generally parallel to the crossbar ii and may be of generally triangular form as best seen in Fig. 5 as this gives the nec= essary' strength where needed. A hole led through the web of the channel of the tie piece serves to receive a locking bolt.

it will be noted in Figs. 1 and 2 the ends oi crossbars H are notched as at iia to receive a locking piece 20. The tubular members 5'2 and it have milled slots Ho and E30 which register withthe notches i la in the crossbars so as to receive the locking piece. This locking piece has a central stud 20a which extends upwardly through the hole lfid and a nut 2i holds the locking piece in position.

The tubular members are flatted off at the bottom as shown at lid and 8812 to form a base for the grouser which is used to give better traction whenthe going is heavy.

It will be understood that this type of track is generally driven by'a sprocket, the teeth of which 7 engage against the tubular members il and i8. Thesetubular members therefore provide a wearing surface at this point.

What-we claim is:

1. In the combination of an endless track composed of: tread blocks having link pin crossbars and wherein the track travels over sprocket or bogie wheels, '2. combined crossbar connector and track guide comprising a sheet metal member Fig. 2. This space is very and wherein the track travels over sprocket or bogie wheels, a combined crossbar connector and track guide comprising a sheet metal member having a link portion lying generally in a plane and adapted to connect crossbars of adjacent tread blocks, said member having a track guide portion offset from the plane of said link portion, and a projection connected with said link portion and secured to said oilset portion to reinforce said member where said ofifset occurs.

3. In the combination of an endless track composed of tread blocks having link pin crossbars and wherein the track travels over sprocket or bogie wheels, 8. combined crossbar connector and track guide comprising a sheet metal member having a link portion lying generally in a plane and adapted to connect crossbars of adjacent tread blocks, said member having a track guide portion ofifset from the plane of said link portion, a plate member generally parallel to said link portion and secured thereto, and a projection on said plate member secured to said track guide portion.

4. In the combination of an endless track composed of tread block's having link pin crossbars and wherein the track travels over sprocket or bogie wheels, a combined crossbar connector and track guide comprising a sheet metal member having a link portion lying generally in a plane and adapmd to connect crossbars of adjacent tread blocks, said members having a track guide portion onset from the plane of said link portion, second and third sheet metal members generally parallel to and secured to said link portion, said second and third members engaging spaced crossbars, and .two contiguous flanges to connect crossbars of adjacent tread blocks, said member having a. track guide portion offset from the plane of said link portion, tubular members rigidly secured to and extending from said link portion in a direction opposite to said offset portion, said tubular members being adapted to embrace said crossbars, and a tie piece rigidly secured to said tubular members and to said link portion to brace them.

7. In the combination of an endless track composed of tread blocks having link pin crossbars and wherein the track travels over sprockat or bogie Wheels, a combined crossbar-connec tor and track guide comprising a sheet metal member having a link portion lying generally in a plane and adapted to connect crossbars of adjacent tread blocks, said member having a track guide portion ofiset from the plane of said link portion, tubular members rigidly secured to and extending from said link portion in a direction opposite to said offset portion, said tubular members being adapted to embrace said crossbars, there being locking recesses in said tubular members, there being locking recesses in said crossbars registering with said last named recesses, and means in said recesses for locking said tubular members to said crossbars.

8. In the combination of an endless track composed of tread blocks having link pin crossbars and wherein the track travels over sprocket or bogie wheels, a combined crossbar connector and track guide comprising a metal plate member having a link portion lying generally in a plane and adapted to connect crossbars of adjacent tread blocks, said plate member being bent inwardly and then upwardly in a direction opposite to said link portion to provide a guide l portion, said guide portion being cupped to provide strengthening flanges at the sides, a second plate member generally parallel to said link portion and welded thereto, a reinforcing member" connected with said second plate member and welded to said first plate member where the latter is bent inwardly, and tubular members rigidly secured to said link portion and to said second plate member, said tubular members being adapted to embrace said crossbars.

' jacent tread blocks, said plate member being bent inwardly and then upwardlyin a direction opposite'to said link portion to provide a guide portion, said guide portion being cupped to provide strengthening flanges at the sides, a second plate member generally parallel to said link portion and welded thereto, and a reinforcing member connected with said second plate member and welded to said first plate member where the latter is bent inwardly.

10. In the combination of an endless track composed of tread blocks having link pin crossbars and wherein the track travels over sprocket or bogie wheels, a combined crossbar connector and track guide comprising a link portion lying generally in a plane and adapted to connect crossbars of adjacent tread blocks and a track guide portion offset from the plane of said link portion, means connected with said link portion and extending outwardly therefrom for attachment to said crossbars, and reinforcing ribs extending from the outer ends of said means to said link portion.

RUDOLPH I. SCHONITZER. EDWIN L. ALLEN. HAROLD B. MUS'I'ER. 

